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Arkansas righty Oliver to Phils in fourth round

Chris Oliver has a live arm, with a fastball he can dial up past the mid-90s at times throwing from downhill

By Erik Bacharach
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MLB.com |

The Phillies continued their streak of drafting pitchers with their fourth-round selection in the First-Year Player Draft.

They selected Chris Oliver, a 6-foot-four, 185-pound right-hander from Arkansas. In 2011, Oliver was drafted in the 27th round by the Orioles.

Oliver ranked 48 on MLB.com's 2014 Prospect Watch. The 20-year-old went 9-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 16 starts as a junior for Arkansas.

Oliver's greatest weapon is his fastball, which he can dial up past the mid 90s at times. According to MLB.com's scouting report, "Oliver calls his breaking ball a curve, but it's really a slider. It's inconsistent from start to start, but it shows flashes of being an out pitch. His changeup is below average and behind the other two. That, along with his command, are the two things that hold him back as a starting pitching prospect."

It remains to be seen if Oliver will remain a starter, but he has the bevy of power pitches needed to succeed as a reliever.

The Draft concludes on Saturday, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 beginning on MLB.com at 1 p.m. ET.

Erik Bacharach is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.